Depths of Deceit

Chapter One

Three elves and a human man lay languishing in the welcome warmth of the sun. It was the first clear day in a fortnight and the occupants of Imladris were soaking up every welcome moment.

"Oh! I'll get you for that!" squealed a feminine voice. Legolas closed his eyes and a contented smile snuck across his handsome face. They were at it again. Now he knew what he and Estel had put the Lord of Imladris through. The twins, Estel and he had opted for the partially shaded area of the forest, and a much needed rest. Haldir had left a moment ago to see what his wife was up to in the lake. Obviously the captain of warriors had not learned to stay away from the lake when it was occupied by two devilish she-elves.

Legolas couldn't fault the maidens for their enthusiasm. It had been almost a year since they had seen each other. He and Estel never let more than a few months go by between visits if they could help it. Legolas was brought out of his reminiscing by a loud masculine yelp. "He can deal with them himself." He muttered under his breath. Trying to ignore it, the yelling got louder and the splashing more frantic, he found he could not resist seeing what was happening to his friend.

Heaving a huge sigh, more for the sake of current company than in any reluctance to join the merriment clearly heard by the Valar, he made his way around the rocks and trees that blocked the view of the water.

What he saw made him double over with laughter. Belil and Nilmandra had attacked the warrior and were trying to dunk him under the water. Throughout the valiant efforts of the women and all the flying water, Haldir's hair remained frustratingly bone dry. That was the reason for all the noise. The girls had nearly drowned every Noldor elf and had finally come up with one they could not "coax" under the water.

At that moment, Haldir noticed Legolas on the bank, shaking with laughter.

"Quit your laughing and come claim what is yours!" Haldir growled through a grin on his face.

Legolas took one look at the determined lines of his wife's face and quickly made a decision. "At this point, nin mellon, I do not think I want what is mine." He got out before another fit of laughter assailed him. That was all the distraction the golden haired girls needed. Belil dove under the water and yanked Haldir's feet out from under him as Nilmandra shoved him backwards.

The three came up sputtering and the girls laughed at Haldir's "drowned rat" look.

"Legolas!" Belil called to the prince, "My handsome warrior looks like your ferret after his bath!" And she squealed in mock terror as Haldir made a lunge for her. While the couple battled it out, Nilmandra slowly made her way to the shore. Legolas noted the barely concealed mischief in her eyes.

"Care to join us husband?" Nilmandra asked in her sexiest voice. "The water is so refreshing." As she got closer, the object of her attention started to back away.

"And suffer the same fate as Haldir?" Legolas assumed a fearful look, "I think not."

"Oh, prissy elf, ruin our fun." Nilmandra pouted. Her sad look usually worked on the golden haired prince, and this time was no different. She managed to get her husband to stop backing away with her fake feminine sadness, and when she reached him, he didn't know what hit him.

As Nilmandra reached to wrap her arms around her beloved, a huge grin lit upon her face and she moved like lightening. Instead of feeling the warm embrace of his wife, Legolas felt the icy embrace of the lake.

Haldir and Belil stood in mute shock. They had ceased their battle in time to see Legolas go flying into the water. Belil looked over at her sister and saw her own shock mirrored there. Obviously Nilmandra had not expected to accomplish her task. Both she-elves made eye contact and they were the first to give free rein to their mirth.

Nilmandra choked back her laughter and in a flash was screaming, running for the trees, her victim in hot pursuit.

"Well, we will not see them for the rest of the day." Haldir stated simply, finally emerging from his shock. He reached for Belil's hand and found her racing for the shore. "Where are you going?" he asked, stunned.

Belil didn't even stop as she hollered over her shoulder, "You do not think I will let him have her after she bested him do you?" She answered with a question of her own.

Haldir shook his head, grinning and wondering why he had ever subjected himself to joining this odd family, even as he proceeded to follow and save Legolas from certain "injury".

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The feud was still on when everyone started to gather in the dining hall. The girls fairly flew into the room begging Elrond to starve the prince and the warrior to save them from harm.

The ever distinguished Lord rolled his eyes and prayed to the Valar to save HIM from certain insanity. The walls of Imladris nearly crumbled when all the children were home. But as far as Elrond was concerned, he would build Imladris a thousand times over again if it meant hearing laughter and happiness within it.

"I can not starve those who have become like sons to me." Elrond said firmly. If the girls had known him better, they would have clearly seen the glitter of amusement in his eyes. Instead they became quite nervous as the raised eyebrow drew steadily closer.

As he reached the girls, Elrond replaced his hands with those of the small feminine ones that were barring anyone entrance to anyone wishing entrance into the hall. "I can, however, keep any ill from befalling you maidens while within this room. Go sit." He commanded. After they had completed his bidding, Elrond released the door and stepped back.

Four elves and a human nearly piled into Elrond, so great was their need to capture the devils in elf clothing. The lord of Imladris was an imposing figure with his arms crossed and a deep frown set on his face.

"Ada." and "Lord Elrond" were heard in softened voices, clearly chastised by the look. All who faced that look found something infinitely fascinating with the floor.

"We did not know you were here yet, father." Elladan mumbled.

"I figured that." Elrond said, hiding a smile. "But it all stops here. I wish peace with my evening meal." And he added, ever so softly, "You can resume your war when they have quit this room." His eyes twinkling with merriment, he sat himself in his chair and awaited the meal.

"It's not fair." Belil confided in her friend. "They have the twins and Estel involved now"

"We are in for it now." Nilmandra swallowed nervously as she caught the gleam in her husbands' eyes. "I do not think I will ever leave this room."

"It is rather pretty," Belil stated wryly. "Just where I wanted to spend all of eternity."

Surprise was written all over the girls when, after the nightly meal was done, all the boys quietly quit the dining hall, announcing that a stroll in the gardens was in order.

TBC

Well, how do you like this one? Pretty funny huh? It is still a work in progress, though I do have 3 chapters finished. As I said, this one will have much more detail, thus being longer. I hope you laughed during this one, the next one gets better when the boys reveal what they've done to get the girls back from the episode at the lake!!!! (grins)